Our Winter Writing Journey to Yosemite

My first winter writing journey to Yosemite with a group in mid March was a great success. We stayed at the Yosemite Bug – Rustic Mountain Resort – Cabins, Restaurant, Health Spa, Hostel in Midpines 25 miles outside the Yosemite Valley in a two room cabin to ourselves .Â We met up Friday evening for dinner in the on site cafe that offers some really good food, and followed up with an evening of writing. In the morning we took the the bus to the Valley. It was great to be able to move back and forth from side to side to take in the beauty all the way into the Valley. As we got up into the Valley we where greeted by fresh snow all the way down to the floor making the experience even more extraordinary.

After being dropped off at the Yosemite LodgeÂ we walked to the base of Yosemite Falls where we sat in silence taking in the magnificence of the rushing water and then proceeded along a quiet path to the museum devoted to the native people of the area. A man of Miwok descent was on duty and happily answered our questions.

We then wrote and ate lunch sitting in the sun on granite boulders beside the tumbling waters of the Merced River below Vernal Falls.

We walked up to the Mirror Lake area where we were directly under Half Dome where we were greeted by the thundering sound of snow cascading off the face as the sun loosened it’s grip.

We then made our way to the historic Ahwahnee Hotel before returning to Yosemite Falls to catch the bus back to the Yosemite Bug Resort. That evening we enjoyed another fine meal in the cafe and everyone worked on their writing afterward. Sunday morning was devoted to writing and sharing as a group.

I also provided special instruction on to use an acorn cap for a whistle. Two members of our group practiced as we waited for the bus.

We really had a great time and I’m looking forward to bringing more groups to this place of great beauty and spirit during the quieter times of fall, winter and spring.